Long-Term Effects of Marijuana Use
Respiratory System Damage
Daily cough.
Chronic bronchitis.
More frequent chest colds.
Injured lung structures.
Pneumonia.
Increased risk of lung or oral cancer – Marijuana deposits in the lungs roughly five times as much tar as tobacco and contains nearly 50% more of the cancer-causing chemical benzopyrene than the average tobacco cigarette.
Immune System Damage
Causes damage to the cells and tissues that protect the body from disease.
Users are more likely to become ill.
Reproductive System Damage
Decreased sperm count.
Abnormal sperm cells.
Decreased production of estrogen.
Menstrual or ovulatory irregularities.
Danger During Pregnancy
May affect good functioning of the mother’s immune system.
Increased miscarriage rate.
Possible brain damage in the fetus.
Lower birth weight, which is associated with more health problems.
THC can be passed to a baby in breast milk, which can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement).
Emotional Damage
Amotivational syndrome is the most common side effect of long-term marijuana use. Marijuana users:
Lose interest in setting and achieving goals.
Stop caring about things that used to be important to them.
Neglect school, work, chores, personal health, and their relationships.
It can take up to 2 years of abstinence to regain a normal motivation level.
More delinquent behavior and aggression
Intellectual Damage
Permanent damage to thinking and reasoning ability.
Difficulty sustaining attention.
Psychological Addiction
Increasing tolerance -- Users need increasing amounts of marijuana to feel its effects.
Many users develop compulsive drug craving and drug seeking.
Abusers continue to use marijuana despite negative consequences in their lives.